Saudi Arabia 'surprised, dismayed' at international criticism of Badawi flogging case

Saudi Arabia has reportedly expressed "surprise and dismay" at international media reports criticizing the flogging of a Saudi blogger for insulting Islam.

In its first official statement on the case, the nation's foreign ministry rejected "any interference in its internal affairs," reported the BBC.

The ministry dismissed international condemnation of the case by terming it an "impingement on the country's sovereignty and the impartiality of its judiciary system."

It said, "The kingdom unequivocally rejects any aggression under the pretext of human rights."

Blogger Raif Badawi's case prompted international protests and elicited criticism from several governments.

Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for offending Islam in May last year.

He was to receive the flogging over 20 weeks and was given the first round on January 9, for lashing out at the country's clerics through his liberal blog. The subsequent rounds of flogging were postponed repeatedly on health grounds.